The thing I've most enjoyed in conference play is the lack of doubt in the outcome as the game has progressed. Other than Pitt, these guys have put games away early, weathered runs and erased doubt about who was the better team. They are getting better and better despite injuries and it's all due to PK. Still think we are going to be 3 seed or higher despite missing Johnson and Pryor.
Comfortable wins...
- Thread starter UofLouisville
- Start date
I don't think the game was in doubt but the end of the game was not comfortable. We need to maintain the same amount of defense and intensity from beginning to end. Can't let teams think they have a chance.
I think with the lack of a bench, the 7 guys that play simply let up after getting big leads. It may not be on purpose, but your intensity at harassing the ball and making hard cuts on offense, naturally diminish when you look at the scoreboard and you're up by 25 with 10 minutes to go. The starters are averaging 30+ minutes a game.
This is the biggest issue Kelsey has to figure out and when Waterman gets back, that will help some. Losing Pryor and Johnson may end up being the difference between making the sweet 16 and making the final 4.
Who would have thought that back in November?
Agree, had we only had a 16 point lead instead of a 29 point lead that finish would've really been uncomfortable..
Tickled to death with the win, just wish we would've finished it off better.. The last 10 minutes were not fun for the crowd in the YUM, they were wanting something to cheer about..
I might buy that except that Rooths played only 15 mins, Traore 16 mins and Frank almost 4 mins. Now the one thing we probably know is that Chucky can't sit for any length of time. Yes, getting Waterman should help but whose minutes does he get? It won't be Chucky's or Reyne's but most likely Scott's, who I wish actually played more. I think we need to stop harping about Pryor and Johnson being out. Its almost like we are using that excuse and putting it in our pocket should something go south. I am fully invested in this team with the players we have and not the "what ifs"
If the lead was 16 we don’t let off the gas. Team was definitely burning clock at the end. They just weren’t executing as well at the end of the shot clock.
It's just normal for players to let up with huge leads, even if they don't realize it. The lack of depth with this team is taking a toll, even if it's difficult to see.
It's a long season and the energy and focus these guys have shown so far is off the charts, and it will affect their endurance. It will also effect their concentration as we saw that last 7 minutes when WF was getting open 3's they weren't getting before.
On offense Chucky had 8 assists with 12 minutes to go and didn't get another one despite playing most of the 2nd half. The focus was just not there because of the big lead. Coach Kelsey has little options unless he puts in a walk on, so he just lets the game play out.
I'm sure however that he's told the guys, especially Hepburn, to take notice of the clock when they're up by 20+ in the second half. Kelsey has to consider fatigue going forward and getting these big leads is the best recipe for that.
Way too much conversation about the last 5 minutes. We took the air out of the ball and there was no picks/rubs, plays, etc. We dribbled/passed for 25+ seconds and shot. 2 or 3 of those were great looks that didn't go in. Gives something for CPFK to coach against but this is much ado about nothing!
It was actually the last 10 minutes, we scored 27 points in the second half. We missed 10 out of 12 shots at one point.I don't think we let the air out of the ball at all, several possessions we dribbled straight down the floor and took a forced 3 of drove to deep into traffic and either lost the ball or took a low percentage shot. We were sloppy and I'm not buying fatigue either.
I agree it's not the end of the world and gives PFK something to keep them focused, however, earlier in the year we had issues building a lead and blowing it or going on long scoring droughts. I was hoping we were past that. Things like this can become a trend. Let's hope it doesn't become one and this whole topic would for sure be much ado about nothing. I love this team and PFK.!
I must be missing the “harping about Pryor and Johnson being out”…and especially using that as an excuse, PK’s certainly not talking about this and not many fans mention it either accept in the context of having a short bench, especially when Noah’s injury is added in. In fact, most all express pride in the team’s success despite all of the injuries.